Water heater



WATEP. HEATER Filled NOV'. 4. 1952 Patented June 6, 1933 4UNITED STATES l FREDERICK W. GYER, OF, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS WATER HEATER l Application filed November 4, 1932. Serial No. 641,269,

This invention relates tohot water heaters and among other objects aims to provide an improved automatic heater of theinstain l `taneous, coil and storage tank type. The 5 idea is to deliver heat to a coil within a flue inthe storage tank and thereby avoid the possibility of a heavy lime depositoiscale forming in the storagetank where a flame is concentrated' on it. eat holes in the tanks, making expensive replacements necessary within a comparatively short time. Another aim is to provide improved coil connections whereby the coil maybe removed from its liue and replaced y 15 when necessary without disturbing or dis connecting the storage tank.

Other aims and advantagesof the invention will appear in the specification when H u considered in connection with the accom- `panying drawing, wherein:

The ligure is a central, vertical sectional View of a heater embodying the invention.

Referring particularly `to the drawing, "there is shown a stand boiler or tank 10 which may be made olf galvanized steel having a sheet metal jacket 11 for suitable in` sulation. The lower end lof thetank has a :tire jacket 12 in the form of an extension to which legs 13 are connected. i

A large tube 14 extends axially through the tank and aconcentric vertical tube 15 is spaced from it to provide a flue. The flue may be live or siX inches in inside diameter to receive a copper coil 16, the arrange- F `ment being such that the coil transfers heat to the water andthe air space between the tube 14 and line 15 prevents direct transfer' of heat through the wall of the tube 14. i The coil is adapted to be slipped into the upper lend of the flue 15 and is preferably made in sections connected by a union coupling 17 so that it may be removed without bending when the ceiling is relatively low. The lowl er end is shown as having a union coupling `18 connected by pipes 19 and 2O` to the bottom ofthe tank;` while the upper end is bent laterally and connected by a union coupling 21 to the service pipe 22 near the top` of the tank.

l 5"1 .i To enable the coil to be removed quickly Such lime deposits l Without disturbing `or even draining the tank, a valve 23 is provided in the pipe 20. Incidentally, the pipe 2O is extended and has `a combined coil and tank drain valve 24.

The coil alone may be drained through a small drain `cock or valve 25 when an air valve 26 at the top of the coil is opened.

'In this example, theV water is heated by gas; although `it will be understood that it may be heatedelectrically. Herein, a main gas inlet pipe 27 supplies to a vertical perforated burner tube 2S extending through the flue within the coil 16. The supply is adapted to be regulated automatically by an ordinary thermostatic valve in a casing 29, a thermostat element 30 projecting therefrom into the storage tank near the-bottom. A valved pilot tube 31 is connected to the gas inlet pipe 27 above the thermostatic valve and projects upwardly adjacent to the burner tubeinto a flared hood 32 :formed `on the lower end of the flue pipe 15. The

lower end of the burner tube has an ordinary air mixer 38 which telescopes loosely over the end of the supply pipe and this tube is suspended centrally of the coil by a transverse bracket 34 conveniently made of strap metal loosely supported across the upper end of the flue 15. The upper end oit' the burner tube `projects through the bracket and screwcap 35 above the bracket serves to support the tube. A conical hood 36 is supported above the flue by a nipple 37 and brackets 38, the nipple being telescoped over the flue. A back-draft hood 39 is secured by brackets 40 above and around the conical hood 36 and its upper end is telescoped in the outlet flue 41. The arrangement is such that the gases escape around the conical hood into the outlet flue and any backdrattt from the chimney is prevented from entering the flue 15.` Then the coil 16 is to be taken out, the hood is first removedgthen the screw cap 35 is unscrewed so that the bracket 34 maybe taken out.

zel

Then, the coil may be disconnected at the` i unions and removed as a unit or in sections, depending upon the height of the ceiling. Thus, the burner tube may be left 1n' place and the water does not have to be drained from the tank.

The valves 23 and 25 and the lower union coupling 18 in the jacket or fire-box l2 are easily accessible through a hinged door l2 preferably on the front of the jacket.

rlhe burner tube discharges jets throughout the height of the water heating coil 16 in the line, thereby avoiding any liming effeet which results from concentrating a hot flame on the bottom of the tank. This contributes to the long life of the coil and tank. Also, the distribution of the heating 'ets over the entire coil enables the coil, alone, to act as an instantaneous heater as soon as the stored hot water drops below the minimum temperature permitted by the thermostat. This insures a constant supply of hot water at the faucets even thoughthe hot, stored supply is exhausted. ln fact, the capacity of the storage tank may be quite small and its height much less than that of ordinary storage tanks. This greatly reduces the cost. liurthermore, the heater is a cornpact unit which can easily be installed by any ordinary plumber. Demonstrations have shown that it is very efficient and lime deposits in the tank are practically eliminated.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and subcombinations.

What is claimed is 1. A combined instantaneous and storage Water heater comprising, in combination, a storage tank having a vertical tube therein; a flue within and spaced from the tube; a coil of substantially uniform diameter within the flue and connected to the tank; a perforated burner tube extending through the iiue and arranged to discharge jets against the coil throughout its height; means for removably supporting the burner tube in the iiue; and a fuel supply pipe connected to the burner tube, said coil and burner tube being so arranged as to be removed through the upper end of the flue, a thern'iostatic element in the tank connected to control the supply of fuel to the burner tube. Y.

2. A combined instantaneous ant. storage water heater comprising, in combination, a storage tank having a vertical flue therein; a coil within the 'line and connected to the tank; a perforated burner tube extending through the flue and arranged to discharge jets against the coil throughout its height; a bracket across the upper' end of thc flue suspending the burner tube; union couplings at the upper and lower ends of the coil permitting it to be removed from the flue; a

valve between the lower end of the coil and the tank; and a drain valve for the coil, whereby the coil may be drained independently of the tank and replaced.

3. A water heater of the class described comprising, in combination, a jacketed storage tank; a vertical pipe extending through the tank providing a central flue; a copper heating coil removably mounted in the flue and connected at its ends to the bottom of the tank and to the hot water outlet; union couplings at the upper and lower ends of the coil; valves in the pipe connections between the coil and the tank permitting it to be drained and removed without draining the tank; a perforated gas burner tube extending through the ue; means for suspending the burner tube in the flue; a gas supply pipe connected to the lower end of the Jurner tube; a pilot burner adjacent to the lower end of the burner tube; and temperature responsive means in the lower portion of the tank to control the supply of gas to tho burner.

Li. ln a water heater of the class described,

:i .d storage tank having a firebox in its lover end; legs connected to the iirebox; a vertical ilue extending'through the center of the tank; a sectional water-heating coil within the flue having union couplings at its upper and lower ends connecting it to the tank; a vent pipe having a back-draft hood removably connected to the upper end of the ihie; a per; )rated gas burner tube eX- tending through the flue; a bracket at the upper end of the flue suspending the burner tube; a supply pipe connected to the end` of the burner tube; a pilot for the burner tube; an air vent valve in the upper end portion of thel coil; a shut-off valve and a drain cock at the lower end of the coil whereby the coil may be drained independently of the tank; -and a tank drain pipe below the coil connection to the lower end of the tank.

5. A water heater of the class described comprising, in combination, a vertical insulated tank; a large tube extending through the tank; a Aflue pipe within and spaced from the tube; a vertical heating coil mounted in the flue and connected to the bottom and top of the tank; couplings for the coil above and vbelow the flue; a perforated burner tube eX- tending centrally through the flue; and means for removably supporting the burner tube in the flue.

In. testimony, that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto aifixed my signature.

FRED. W. GEYER. 

